Apple sees the light in push for Jetsons-style home automation

[Automate]

Financial Times (registration required) has a story about Apple getting into home automation with the above title 
 
 

Apple is readying a new software platform that would turn the iPhone into a remote control for lights, security systems and other household appliances, as part of a move into the “internet of things”.

 
More here http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/1bef71b8-e433-11e3-a73a-00144feabdc0.html#ixzz32uffnxvy
 
Other sites have picked up on the story
http://www.zdnet.com/how-would-apples-smart-home-system-work-7000029871/
http://www.theverge.com/2014/5/26/5751816/apple-developing-home-automation-features-for-iphone-report
http://seekingalpha.com/news/1770243-ft-apple-working-on-home-automation-software-platform
 

 

[elvisimprsntr]

More likely a self proclaimed analyst manipulating the stock.

 

[Automate]

We should know soon.
 

Apple plans to take on rivals Google and Samsung and make a “big play” in the world of smart home technology at its Worldwide Developer Conference on June 2 in San Francisco, according to people familiar with the matter.

 

[ano]

Hmmmm.... With Haiku I can lock my doors, adjust my thermostats, turn on my lights, operate my pool, all from my iPhone or iPad.  I'm not really sure what more Apple could contribute to this, other than perhaps building a better panel than HAI or ELK, and I have no doubt that Apple could do a better job of it.

 

[pete_c]

Personally the automation market is evolving and the players are falling into place.
 
Mostly though everyone already knows that here.
 
I believe that Apple will do whatever it takes to capture their current Apple users market.

 

[NeverDie]

I bet Apple's offering will include 802.15.4 devices.  Their time has come, but they need a champion.
 
IMHO, part of what's lacking in current home automation hardware offerings is a way to distinguish quality from junk without buying and trying it.  If Apple's badging becomes a reliable mark of quality, then we all win.

 

[pete_c]

Yup; Microsoft and Google (and Android) today have a bigger stick than Apple.
 
That said they will use it not doubt maybe sooner than later....
 
Competition is healthy such that this is a good thing.  
 
I do not count what the ISP's or hardware stores or office supply stores are doing relating to the automation thing other than maybe promoting the use of automation.

 

[ano]

Apple, just by using its name, could give a big push to the home automation market, but would they?  There is no doubt that they know home automation has struggled for many years. Service providers have pushed it along a little, because they want to promote revenue from service fees for providing the transport, but that has had mixed results. And its not like Apple has stayed out of home automation. Philips Hue bulbs are for sale in all Apple stores, but its not like Apple has done a whole lot to promote them.
 
Apple could create a home automation standard layer which they would license to other companies to use. And Apple could create hardware devices and an application supporting Macs to pull it all together. Would they do it? I don't know, but I hope so.

 

[jhdale]

I bet Apple's offering will include 802.15.4 devices.  Their time has come, but they need a champion.
 
IMHO, part of what's lacking in current home automation hardware offerings is a way to distinguish quality from junk without buying and trying it.  If Apple's badging becomes a reliable mark of quality, then we all win.

I don't think it's a win if it means your home automation can only be controlled using proprietary software on an Apple device. E.g. AirPlay has only become open because someone hacked it, not because Apple wanted to share. If Apple backs an open standard, I think that's great.

 

[Dean Roddey]

Don't hold back now.

 

[Automate]

Another article with some more insight  http://gigaom.com/2014/05/29/heres-how-apples-smart-home-program-will-work-2/
 
A few quotes from it below
 

Apple’s move into the smart home isn’t actually the grand experience I had hoped for. Instead, it is a much simpler program that will basically certify a bunch of connected devices on the market or set to be launched as products that are certified under the Made for iPhone label.

It won’t have some sort of software-based automation layer controlled by Apple that supersedes the original apps.

Instead of worrying about hubs and what might work with other devices, consumers can look for the MFi label and be assured that they can pull their smart home setup together — and control it from their iOS device. It’s technically possible that the user could control some device functions from a handset or tablet without opening the app, or that the app would open automatically based on a voice command or eventually through presence detection. That gets us a bit closer to magic and would be welcome for the consumer. The devices will require chips that are certified for the MFi program, including Apple’s Wireless Accessory Configuration (WAC), but those exist today.

The ability to connect the A/C (to) Apple devices via Wi-Fi without registration or passwords was the key to it getting the MFi certification, CNET reported. Imagine if setting up your doors locks, thermostats or light bulbs were that easy. That’s what the WAC-support will enable.

 

[sjht]

Announced as part of IOS 8 today. Any details? SJ

 

[HAdiy]

So I've been slowly adding more and more simple automation to my home recently...mainly via z-wave thermostats, lighting control and dimming (by GE) and fan control (by Leviton). I'm beginning to wonder if I should slow down as It looks like Apple is beginning to enter the home automation market. They haven't announced a lot of details yet nor a timeline for new products so I'm not sure what I should do. So far I like the functionality of my automation that is being controlled with a 2gig panel that's a part of my security system. What would you guys do...proceed with z-wave or wait to see what Apple announces? I'm very keen on Apple products and it seems they always seem to get it right...often knowing what the consumer wants even before the consumer.

BTW, one thing I really like with my 2gig system is that I can control it remotely (while not at home). If Apple decides to utilize wi-fi, would those devices be able to be used remotely?

The one thing I do not like with my 2gig system is that it does not inform me the current state of my devices. Does anyone know if that improvement will be coming soon (with alarm.com)?

Thanks!

 

[drvnbysound]

I owned an Android for a few years before switching to an iPhone. Regardless, I prefer that my system(s) be device agnostic.

 

[wuench]

It didn't sound like a big deal to me either until I noticed them mentioning Siri integration.  Platform based voice recognition support without the complexity of proxies and/or jailbreaking.
 
Let's just hope Google follows suit.   I have voice integration with Autovoice and Google Now on my MotoX and it is working pretty well.  But it takes a lot of hoops to jump through to setup and maintain, you have to be rooted and running XPosed Framework.